Engineering microbial cells for cancer

Abstract

The use of engineered microbes in personalized cancer treatment is promising, offering targeted and patient-specific therapeutic strategies. Advances in synthetic biology enable precise genetic modifications, creating bacteria capable of producing therapeutic agents within tumors. This chapter discusses the field of engineering microbial cells for cancer therapy, initially focusing on the dynamic interactions between the microbiome and the host and the pivotal role of the gut microbiome in cancer development. Then, discussing that certain bacteria influence cancer progression and therapeutic responses through immunomodulation and metabolic interactions, how engineered bacteria can present novel opportunities for intervention will be explored. The principles of bacterial cancer therapies will be examined, including selecting suitable bacterial strains and engineering methods to ensure their safety and efficacy. Techniques such as attenuating virulence factors, enhancing tumor-targeting capabilities, and designing sophisticated genetic circuits for controlled therapeutic delivery are detailed. © 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.